Public health chiefs have confirmed another 763 cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, as well as 28 more deaths.
Tonight's figures, announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), bring to 213,400 the total number of recorded cases of coronavirus in Ireland.
Tragically, some 4,109 people have now lost their lives as a consequence of Covid-19 since the pandemic hit our shores last spring.
Announcing tonight's figures, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer delivered a message of hope, telling the country that "better days are in sight".
Dr Ronan Glynn said: "The past year has been very difficult for people and we still have a way to go.
"Incidence remains very high and we cannot drop our guard," he added.
"But better days are in sight. People continue to respond to public health advice and act in solidarity with one another. We have a dedicated and committed health workforce and we are learning more about this disease all the time."
The latest data from NPHET comes amid ongoing fallout after the Taoiseach confirmed Ireland is in for another nine weeks of "severe" lockdown.
The news – revealed by the Irish Mirror late last night – has prompted frustration among opposition politicians, with some criticising Micheal Martin for the manner in which he communicated the news to the country.
In the interview, conducted at Government buildings on Thursday, Mr Martin indicated that pubs and restaurants – and personal services such as hairdddressers – may stay closed well beyond this date.
He said there will not be a full return to the construction sector by March 5, despite suggestions from Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien that that building could restart at the beginning of next month.
Children returning to schools on a phased basis – beginning with junior and senior infants and Leaving Cert students – is the priority, the Taoiseach added.
But he insisted there is light ahead for people, with monthly vaccines doses of 1.2 million expected.
He said: “It is going to be challenging for people, it’s been a long lockdown already and I would say to people: it’s worth it.”
Mr Martin said when the government reveals its revised Living with Covid Plan next week, there will be very few surprises to emerge.
He said: “What’ll happen next will be modest – I wouldn’t overstate it in the sense of announcements and so on.
"We are looking at a continuation of severe restrictions certainly right into April."
